[maverick83]

Hey guys. I've been toying with the idea of planning a road trip from London to Scotland. I am wondering - has anyone here done something like this and what were your experiences?

I am planning on going during the half term - so not sure if it will be very busy?

The idea was to drive halfway there - sleep over somewhere nice - and do the rest the following day. Maybe spend about 4-5 days in Scotland and surrounds and then drive back.

Any tips or ideas for places to stop and roads to take?

[beambeam1]

It's pretty much all motorway from London to Glasgow, once you're past there it opens up to beautiful roads and scenery either side of the A9 which is dull to drive these days thanks to average speed cameras.

Others will no doubt be along with suggestions but I really fancy trying this at some point: https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do...rth-coast-500/

[vtwin_man]

I've done the run several times now, albeit only from Cheshire and back.
The A9 route is nice and steady due to the 90 miles of average speed cameras!
My preferred route is the more westerly A82, less cameras, twistier roads and the bonus of driving through Glen Coe- absolutely awesome!
Stay around Loch Lomond on the way up, beautiful area and the roads are superb.
👍

[Stahliniho]

Got to do the North Coast 500 (NC500)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/tr...ips-world.html

Start on the west coast - through loch lomond and trossacs park, the rest and be thankful, glencoe up to fort william then get on the NC500

When you get to inverness, go right towards Elgin (dont go as far East as Aberdeen) then flip down into the cairngorm mountain range, there are a few plateaus which feel like your driving on Mars as the landscape is so odd haha.

Then go through either two options - A9 with average speed or go a bit more east towards ballater & braemar

You've then got two options for a bit of speed Crail or Knockhill both East Scotland.

Then do Edinburgh for tourist fix

Then home.

[Watkins01]

North coast 500 is great, but remember you don't have to stick to it completely, some of the best bits from my Scottish road trips were going off plan.

[Z3man]

Whats the average speed limit where these cameras are on the A9.

[vtwin_man]

Originally Posted by Z3man

Whats the average speed limit where these cameras are on the A9.

Mostly 60mph.

BUT don't get caught out by the overtaking lanes that appear. They appear to be dual carriageways, but are still 60mph limits!
Proper dual carriageway sections are marked as such and are 70 limits. It's a nightmare. The A9 near Aviemore was still 40mph for MILES last time we went in May, due to the roadworks.

[The0pportunist]

We flew up to Edinburgh to pick up a car for my brother, then drove all the way back to London in one hit. Good test for the car really, she's been bullet proof even 4 years later.

I remember driving south from Scotland, absolutely mesmerising, never knew Scotland was so beautiful! U'll love it!

[gtthree]

I'd use the M40 over the M1 to get to Birmingham, then up the M6.

Then once in Cumbria and Scotland keep any eye on your speeds especially if going round any of the long unsighted corners in the Lakes as they tend to place camera vans on concealed flyovers.
Once in South of Scotland make sure you adjust your speed whilst driving past any slip roads as Dumfries and Galloway police (aka Police Scotland) like to tuck themselves up there and catch unsuspecting drivers as they pass.
Enjoy the lack of traffic on the M74, relative to say the M4.

You may still have a painful 10miles of average speed cameras 50mph in Cheshire as you approach the M6 Manchester junction.

Other than that enjoy the scenery and calmness of Scotland. There are some lovely spots for photograph, food and hospitality.

One final point, drink drive limits are lower than England so even one drink could result in your being banned beware if you are visiting any distillaries.

[Z3man]

Originally Posted by vtwin_man

Mostly 60mph.

BUT don't get caught out by the overtaking lanes that appear. They appear to be dual carriageways, but are still 60mph limits!
Proper dual carriageway sections are marked as such and are 70 limits. It's a nightmare. The A9 near Aviemore was still 40mph for MILES last time we went in May, due to the roadworks.

Sounds like one hell of a tedious drive, my boss goes there every year and always comes back moaning about the cameras, and he is by no means a fast driver, he is very sensible. Their have been a few occasions where he has come back and been sure he has been caught but luckily he has never received a fine in the post.

It sounds like it is so easy to innocently drift over the speed limit but still driving very safely and end up with a speeding ticket.

Totally puts me off going to Scotland, going to stick with the Lake District, have about five holidays a year there and never had a ticket, came close just once or twice though.

[J0K3R5]

http://theplanetd.com/north-coast-500-guide

[maverick83]

Thanks all!! The planning shall start soon!

[Andy Bev]

You need to stop off in god's own county, YORKSHIRE 👍👍👍👍

[vtwin_man]

Originally Posted by maverick83

Thanks all!! The planning shall start soon!

Enjoy! I'm driving up again on Friday from Cheshire to Inverness, I'll let you know how it goes.

Don't fret ref: speeding, the LIM button is your friend! Works well.... or just set cruise, sit back and enjoy the countryside.

Oh, and stop at 'Rest and be Thankful', just beautiful!

[dougal19]

I did the NC500 over the Easter weekend, after driving up to Inverness to meet up with a friend. Ended up doing 1500 miles over 5 days, and the driving was amazing. For most of the NC500 route the roads are brilliant, and if single track there are very regular passing places. I would say in the 3 days it took to do the NC500, I saw maybe 50 other cars? And never really got stuck behind anyone. Also, there's no speed cameras that far up, and plenty of road to put your foot down a bit...

[Stahliniho]

https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars...ource=20170629

Quite apt...